Deepening Natos dialogue with India: To protect international rules-based order and address shared challeng – The Times of India Blog

Freedom, democracy and the rule of law are at the core of the Nato Alliance. As the worlds largest democracy, these values matter to India, too. Protecting our values and way of life is our shared global responsibility. So it makes sense for Nato and India to deepen our dialogue to protect the international rules-based order and address jointly shared challenges to our security.

For over 70 years, Nato has provided unprecedented peace and security for the Euro-Atlantic area. As a fundamental pillar of the international order, we continue to contribute to global stability, including through our missions and operations beyond our borders. Today, our Alliance represents 30 nations, one billion people, and half of the worlds economic and military might. We are the most successful Alliance in history, because of our unity, our values and our ability to adapt as the world around us changes.

Nato is and will remain a regional alliance for Europe and North America. However, the challenges we face are global, so we need a more global approach. The international rules-based order is facing unprecedented pressure from increasing geopolitical competition and mounting authoritarianism, led by countries like Russia and China, who do not share our values. We also face sophisticated cyberattacks, more brutal forms of terrorism, disruptive technologies, nuclear proliferation, and the security impacts of climate change.

Global challenges are greater than any country or continent can tackle alone. So we must work together to find common solutions. As part of our ongoing adaptation, Nato wants to work closely with like-minded countries to protect the rules-based international order and defend our shared interests and values.

I was delighted to participate for the first time in the Raisina Dialogue, Indias premier gathering of global leaders committed to addressing common challenges and working more closely together. I sent a clear message that Nato is ready and willing to increase our cooperation with like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific, including with India.

India is a pivotal regional player, a growing economy, and an important global actor. It is one of the largest troop contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions. It is currently a member of the UN Security Council and it will hold the G20 presidency in 2023. Many Nato Allies have well established partnerships with India and they are enhancing their engagement in the Indo-Pacific. At the same time, India is increasing its contacts with Europe and the United States.

Over the years, Nato has developed a robust network of partners across the globe, and engaged in fruitful dialogue with non-partner countries like India. We already have a strong political dialogue and wide-ranging practical cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific, including formalised partnerships with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea.

Nato is not only a military Alliance, but also a political Alliance. Political dialogue and security cooperation are important tools to address global challenges, beyond purely military responses. So there are many ways for Nato and India to work together.

India is at the forefront of many of our shared challenges, from Afghanistan, to terrorism, and maritime security. Nato highly values its dialogue with India, and I see great potential to do more. This includes sharing information and expertise, and coordinating common approaches on shared interests, from the changing geopolitical landscape to the role of new technologies, and from safeguarding cyberspace to strengthening global governance, including on arms control.

Nato provides a strong platform on which to build a global community of democracies to defend our values and way of life. As we look to a more uncertain future, we want to strengthen our partnerships and enhance our engagement with like-minded countries, including in the Indo-Pacific, to protect the international rules-based order that benefits all of us.

Views expressed above are the author's own.

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Deepening Natos dialogue with India: To protect international rules-based order and address shared challeng - The Times of India Blog